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Porters' Lodge (inc Post Room & Accommodation Office)

Downing College, Regent Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 1DQ

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Access Guide

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Getting To and Around Downing College

  • Arriving By Car or Bike View
    • Downing College is situated in Cambridge city centre. The vehicle entrance to the campus is located on Regent Street. There are various Park and Ride schemes for people who would prefer to not drive into central Cambridge.
    • Downing College has limited on-site car parking. The main parking area is located along North Range where there are five Blue Badge parking pays. There are some Fellows' parking bays in the area behind the Lord Butterfield Bar & Café, but they were blocked off at the time of the survey. The College also leases parking for postgraduates outside some of the buildings on Lensfield Road. Students are generally not permitted to use cars in the immediate locality unless given permission based on specific requirements.
    • Cycling is a popular form of transport in Cambridge. The city is relatively flat and there is an extensive network of cycle routes. At Downing College there are many sheltered cycle stands available on-site along the North Range access road and also in the service yard outside Battcock Lodge.
    • For more information on getting to Downing College by road please click here (opens new tab).
    • For more information on cycle routes and maps in Cambridge please click here (opens new tab).
  • By Bus View
  • By Train View
  • Accessing the College Site View
    • The main pedestrian entrance to the College site is located on Regent Street. Access is via a single pedestrian gate with a card reader which is situated to the left of the vehicular entrance. The gate may be difficult for some to open and has an opening width of 100cm. The height of the card reader is 102cm.
    • Pedestrians can also access the site via the Howard Gate, which is a pedestrian entrance situated in the Downing site of the University of Cambridge. The gate opens automatically away from you and is activated by either pressing the button (height 112cm) or using the card reader (height 110cm). The card reader must be used outside the hours of 10.00 – 16.30.
    • Key card holders can also access the site via a pedestrian gate in Lensfield Road between Buildings 34 and 36. The gate is single, opens away from you (push) and may be difficult for some to open. The height of the card reader is 115cm and the opening width of the gateway is 110cm. There is a short steep downhill slope along the path just beyond this entrance.
  • Getting Around the College Site View
    • If you have accessed the College site by vehicle and parked in the designated Blue Badge Bays in the North Range area there is open step-free access to the network of paths around external areas of the Downing College site. The site is mostly level with wide paths (150cm+), but path surfaces do vary. The paths that run around the large central grass area (The Quadrangle and The Paddock) have a gravel surface that may not be suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Other areas have surfaced paths of various types (flagstone paving, tarmac, concrete, block paving and resin bound gravel). Most of the surfaced paths have a flat, smooth surface except some in the area outside Kenny A which is slightly uneven.
    • There is stepped access to the West Lodge Garden. The steps do not have handrails. The external parts of the site are otherwise step-free except for access into buildings.
  • Additional College Site Information View
    • Many of the buildings at Downing College have stepped access into and around them. Due to the age of the buildings the staircases do vary in materials and layout. The height and depths of steps are not uniform and neither is lighting, handrail provision/type or step markings. There are some buildings which have been adapted to make them step-free, including access ramps to bypass external steps and internal lifts to access other floors. Please see our Detailed Access Guides for further information on access to buildings.
    • There is not much directional signage around the site which means those unfamiliar with the layout will need an escort or a map to reference. Accessible toilet facilities are located in the Porters’ Lodge and B Stair near the Dining Hall.
    • There are some bollards along paths and access routes. All bollards have a good colour contrast with the path surfaces. The width between the bollards is at least 90cm.

Useful Information

Site/Campus Car Park (North Range Parking)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Regent Street, past the Porters' Lodge, along the access road behind the Chapel.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are those at the north side of the site.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are signposted but have no markings.
    • There is/are 5 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 245cm x 470cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays do not have a marked zone around them.
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by permit holders.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is step free access from this car park.
    • Buildings are not clearly signposted from this car park.
    • There is a campus map available within the car park.
    • The car park surface is mostly resin bound gravel with some loose gravel surface.
      There are eight electric vehicle charging points.

Building Parking (Porters' Lodge)

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by visitors.
    • The car park is located to the left past the Porters' Lodge building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are not available.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is / are slopes/ramps.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is not a site/campus car park within approximately 200m.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • On Street Parking View
    • Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are available.
    • The on street standard parking bay(s) is/are located on Regent Street.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
    • Visitors park in the car park area whilst they enquire at the reception desk for information and access.

Getting To (Porters' Lodge - inc Post Room & Accommodation Office)

  • Location View
    • The Porters' Lodge entrance is located just inside the Main Gate to Downing College.
    • The Main Entrance to the Porters' Lodge is immediately to the left when entering the Downing College Main Gate.
    • There is an accessible entrance to the rear of the Porters' Lodge.
    • There is not wayfinding signage along the route to the Porters' Lodge.
    • Other services / Facilities within the building include; Reception, Head Porter, Housekeeping Office, Maintenance Office and Domus Manager.
    • Downing College link (new tab) - click here.
  • Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities View
    • Accessible toilet facilities are located on the ground floor, to the right after you enter via the accessible entrance.
    • Female standard toilet facilities are located on the lower ground floor of the building.
    • Male standard toilet facilities are located on the lower ground floor of the building.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located directly to the left when entering the Downing College Main Gate.
    • This entrance gives access to the Porters' Lodge reception.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'DOWNING COLLEGE PORTERS' LODGE'.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 79cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is/are 3 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 17cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • Lift View
    • The lower step at the entrance is 14cm high.

Outside Access (Accessible Rear Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building.
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the Porters' Lodge.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 89cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located to the right as you face the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the ramp.
    • The width of the ramp/slope is 118cm (3ft 10in).
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is/are 6 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 15cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the step(s).
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • Lift View
    • For people unable to manage the steps at the main entrance, they can gain access via this entrance.
      They do need to contact reception prior to their visit to gain access.

Reception

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located ahead and to the left on the ground floor, when entering the accessible rear entrance.
    • The reception point is approximately 12m (39ft) from the accessible rear entrance.
    • Clear signage for the reception area/desk is not visible from the entrance.
    • There is step-free access to the reception point.
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
    • There are windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors at/behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The reception counter is placed in front of a background which is patterned.
    • The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
    • The height of the reception counter is 100cm .
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is not a lowered section of the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
    • The type of system is a portable loop.
    • The hearing system is available only on request.
    • The hearing assistance system is signed.
    • Staff are trained to use the hearing system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested on 09/08/2021.
    • The hearing loop was working at the time of testing.
    • There is wayfinding signage available at/close to the reception.
    • The type of flooring in the reception area is carpet.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is not a waiting area close to the reception point.

Inside Access

  • Access and Circulation View
    • There is not step-free access throughout the majority of the building.
    • The type of flooring is carpet.
    • There is some flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • There is high visual contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music/sound.
    • There is a hearing assistance system.
    • The system is a portable loop.
    • The portable loop is available on request from the reception.

Downing College Post Room

  • The Downing College post room is located on the ground floor, off the main hallway. Deliveries and collections for the College are made at the post room. The height of the counter is 98cm and there is no lower section. The post room is open daily from 08:00 to 16:45 and 19:30 to 21:30.

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located in the main hallway off reception.
    • The stairs are approximately 7m from the main entrance.
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not available from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by the stairs are LG, G and 1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are good.
  • Other Information View
    • The room(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are staff offices, a kitchen and standard toilets.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Shared - Right Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to the right after you enter via the accessible entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 2m (6ft) from the accessible entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The visual contrast between the external door and wall is low.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is light.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 84cm (2ft 9in).
    • The visual contrast between the internal door and wall is low.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The visual contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is low.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 148cm x 174cm (4ft 10in x 5ft 8in).
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 78cm (2ft 6in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a female sanitary bin.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a push button flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is low.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • The visual contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is low.
    • The visual contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • There is an emergency alarm .
    • The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 172cm from the floor.
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The toilet does not have a backrest or a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 6in).
    • The toilet seat visual contrast is low.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The visual contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is low.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 76cm (2ft 5in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The visual contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is low.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is not a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • There is a handheld soap dispenser available.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 127cm (4ft 2in).
    • The visual contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is low.
    • There is not a hand dryer.

Standard Toilet(s) (Lower Ground Floor)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located on the lower ground floor.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 1m from the bottom of the stairs.
    • The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is low.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 81cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • Lighting levels are good.